SMU the Pick in Lone Star Alliance

DALLAS -- After posting an undefeated regular season and qualifying for the MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour as the Lone Star Alliance championship, Southern Methodist has been slotted first in the preseason conference coaches poll.

One of three teams to enter the national tournament unblemished -- national champion Chapman and Georgia Tech being the others -- the Mustangs (16-1) fell to eventual runner-up Cal Poly in the first round.

"We know that the teams in the LSA are all reloading for the upcoming season," said SMU coach Karl Lynch. "We've added an ambitious schedule. Hopefully, our incoming class, mixed with our returning veterans, will be the right combination to recapture the LSA championship."

Texas State (12-3), which bowed to SMU in the LSA title tilt, is again expected to challenge the Mustangs for the conference crown. Texas A&M (11-6) and LSU (9-8) round out the top four.

On the administrative side, LSU coach Jeff Echols is the new president of LSA Division I, replacing long-time rep Michael Brand. "We would like to thank Mike Brand for his many years of service to the LSA," said league president Jason Zantjer.

Baylor is transitioning from Division I to Division II this spring, giving the LSA North division six teams and the LSA South five programs.